Maximum performance
Kinetico Premier XP®
- Twin and multi-tank systems
- Non-electric
- Generous flow rates
- Precise XP calibration
- 10-year limited warranty
Models for all types of homes
Learn MoreKinetico water softeners
Brilliantly designed, and powered by moving water.
Find the right water softener for your home.
Kinetico water softeners are designed to greatly reduce hard water deposits and scale. They are third-party certified by the Water Quality Association, and they use non-electric technology, so there are no timers, computers or other electrical components to repair or replace. You still have soft water during a power outage.
Kinetico non-electric softeners regenerate on demand, only after your household has used the soft water the resin can make, never on a timer.
How does a water softener work?
A water softener reduces the calcium and magnesium in your water through ion exchange. Hard water passes through a tank of resin beads that attract and hold the hardness minerals, trading them for sodium ions. When the beads are full, the system rinses them with brine from the salt tank, the minerals go to the drain, and softening carries on.
In a Kinetico twin-tank system, at least one tank is always in service, including while the other regenerates, so soft water never runs out, even with a house full of guests.
Why choose a non-electric water softener?
Electric and non-electric softeners differ in more than their power source. A non-electric system can be installed where there is no outlet, keeps working during a power outage, and keeps electrical parts away from damp basements and utility rooms.
Moving water powers the Kinetico control valve. There is nothing to plug in and nothing to reset after a storm.
Smarter regeneration, greater efficiency
Many electric softeners regenerate on a timer, whether they need to or not. When your water use changes, that can waste salt and water, or let hard water slip through.
Kinetico softeners meter the water you actually use and regenerate only when the resin has reached its capacity. They adjust on their own to busy weeks and quiet ones.
Which water softener is right for your home?
No matter the size of your home or your water use, Kinetico has a softener to match. Here is how a Kinetico twin-tank system compares with a typical single-tank electric softener.
| Features and benefits | Kinetico water softener | Single-tank electric softener |
|---|---|---|
| Non-electric | Yes | No |
| System design eliminates the timer | Yes | No |
| Two softening tanks | Yes | No |
| Soft water is used to regenerate during every phase of regeneration | Yes | No |
| Soft water is available during regeneration | Yes | No |
| Control valve parts operate in clean, soft water | Yes | No |
| An uninterrupted supply of soft water | Yes | No |
| No unnecessary reserve capacity is needed for extra demand | Yes | No |
| No special cycles or bypass settings for guests or vacations | Yes | No |
| Regenerates only when needed, based on water use, not a preset interval | Yes | No |
Kinetico water softeners
Classic design, reliable performance
Kinetico Signature Series®
- Twin-tank systems
- Non-electric
- SmartDisk™ customization
- Efficient operation
- 5-year limited warranty
Great for medium to large homes
Learn MoreWhat is hard water?
Water hardness is the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in your water. It shows up as soap that will not lather, cloudy spots on glassware, and scale inside water heaters, pipes and appliances. Hardness is measured in grains per gallon.
| Grains per gallon (gpg) | Milligrams per liter (mg/L) | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1.0 | Less than 17.1 | Soft |
| 1.0 to 3.5 | 17.1 to 60 | Slightly hard |
| 3.5 to 7.0 | 60 to 120 | Moderately hard |
| 7.0 to 10.5 | 120 to 180 | Hard |
| 10.5 and above | 180 and above | Very hard |
Classifications from the Water Quality Association.
Benefits of a Kinetico water softener
Extend the life of water-using appliances
Hard water minerals build up inside water heaters, dishwashers and washing machines. A softener helps them run more efficiently and last longer.
Enjoy softer-feeling skin and hair
Hard water leaves a residue behind. Soft water helps soap and shampoo rinse more completely, so skin feels cleaner and hair feels softer.
Protect your plumbing
Scale can build up inside pipes and restrict flow. Softening helps reduce that buildup and supports better water pressure.
Reduce scale on fixtures and surfaces
Say goodbye to white spots on faucets, shower doors and sinks. Soft water makes cleaning easier, with less effort.
Ready for hassle-free soft water?
Schedule a free water test today
Fill out the form and Cardinal Water Solutions, your local Kinetico expert, will call to set a time for your free, in-home water test.
Thank you
Your request is in. Cardinal Water Solutions will call you to set a time for your free water test. If it is easier, call us at (614) 555-0100.
Complete your whole home system
A Kinetico softener treats the working water for cleaning and laundry. Pair it with a drinking water system and the right specialty filter.
K5 Drinking Water Station®
Kinetico’s customizable, tank-based reverse osmosis system, now with a VOC filter as standard.
Learn More
Kinetico HYDRO® ECO™
Tankless, direct-flow reverse osmosis with LED feedback and built-in leak detection.
Learn More
Dechlorinator
A single-tank unit for whole-home chlorine reduction, and a natural partner for a Kinetico softener.
Learn More
Sulfur Guard™ Backwashing Filter
Twin-tank, non-electric treatment for the rotten-egg odor of hydrogen sulfide.
Learn MoreWater softener questions
How does a water softener work?
A water softener reduces the calcium and magnesium that make water hard through a process called ion exchange. As water flows through the system, those minerals are drawn to charged resin beads and held there.
Installed where water enters your home, a softener treats all of it, so you have softer water for bathing, cleaning and everyday use.
Do I need a water softener?
Dry skin and hair, soap scum in the shower and white scale on faucets are common signs of hard water. Over time, hard water also adds wear to appliances like dishwashers and water heaters.
A free water test measures your hardness in grains per gallon, which tells you whether a softener is worth it and which size fits your home.
How is a water softener installed?
A trained professional connects the system to your home’s main water line, along with a drain line and the brine tank that holds the salt. Cardinal Water Solutions handles the installation and walks you through the system before we leave.
How much does a water softener cost?
It depends on the size of the system, its features and your water. A professional water test is the best way to find the right system for your home, and Cardinal Water Solutions puts the recommendation and the price in writing before any work begins.
What size water softener do I need?
Sizing depends on the hardness of your water, the number of people in your household and how much water you use each day. A water evaluation lets us size the system so it keeps up with your home without waste.
What is the difference between a water softener and a water conditioner?
A water softener exchanges hardness minerals through ion exchange, which addresses the cause of scale. "Water conditioner" is a broader term, often used for salt-free systems that change how minerals behave. Kinetico notes that salt-free systems do not fully soften water.
Do Kinetico water softeners add salt to the water I drink?
Softening swaps hardness minerals for sodium ions, and the amount added depends on how hard your water is. Kinetico notes that for most people it is not significant. If you follow a low-sodium diet, talk with your physician, and ask us about a drinking water system for the water you drink and cook with.
Next steps to softer water
Talk with your local Kinetico expert, get a quick quote, or schedule your free water test.